NOT BY FEELINGS BUT BY FAITH !

NOT BY FEELINGS BUT BY FAITH ! But doesn't (Galatians 5:6) say that faith works by love ? You might ask. Doesn't (1 Corinthians 13:2) say that without love even mounting moving faith amounts to nothing ? Yes, but the word translated love in those verses is the Greek word agape, and it doesn't refer to the kind of love that's based on feeling. Agape is unconditional love. It's loving on purpose, not because you feel certain emotions, but as an act of your will. Just Do It: it's the agape kind of love Jesus had in mind in (Mark 11:25) when He told us that as we're praying if we "have ought against any" we're to forgive them. He didn't tell us we had to feel good about it. He just said to do it. What's more, He left no room for debate. He made forgiving a command, not because He doesn't care about the hurts people have inflicted on us, and, and not because He's insensitive to our wounded emotions. But because, as (Psalms 23:1) says, He's our Good Shepherd and He's committed to seeing to it that we do not want. He knows your soul can get beat up and bruised by this world, and He has some green pastures for you, my friend ! He has some still waters that will refresh you. He has restoration for your bruise and beat up soul. That's why He commands you to forgive. If you don't, your faith want work, and you want be able to receive from Him what you ask. You'll put yourself in a position where He can't Bless you, and Blessing you is what He's all about. But if you'll get in your prayer closet, ask Him for what you need and want, believe you receive, and forgive everyone you've been holding aught against, you can partake of His abundant supply. By the way, the "everyone" Jesus expects you to forgive including all the politicians you've been mad at lately. You don't have to agree with them. You don't have to like what they're saying and doing. For your prayers to be effective, however, you do have two forgive them. You also have to pray for them because God said in (1 Timothy 2): "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority or; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For that is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (versus 1-4). That means you pray for the president and the vice president. You pray for everyone in Congress, for judges and governors. And you pray the most for the ones you don't like. But I don't want to ! You might say. It doesn't matter whether you want to or not. God said do it "first of all". So, make it a priority. Do it in faith and do it every day.